The 1966 baseball card season marked the end of an era in many ways. It was the final year for the classic cardboard before the move towards colorful, glossy photographs that would shape the 1970s. It was also the last hurrah for legendary players like Sandy Koufax, who retired after the ’66 season. Because of all these factors, some key 1966 baseball cards hold significant value for collectors today. Let’s take a closer look at several of the most valuable and desirable issues from that vintage crop.

Sandy Koufax (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Widely considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time, Koufax had already established himself as a star when he appeared on his final Topps baseball card in 1966. His pristine rookie cards from 1955 and 1956 fetch big bucks as well, but the 1966 stands out as documenting Koufax’s swan song. In high grade, it can command well over $1,000 due to its historical significance. The card shows a portrait of Koufax with no action shot, hinting that his playing days may soon be done despite being only 30 years old at the time.

Frank Robinson (Baltimore Orioles) – As the first player to win both the MVP award and the Rookie of the Year award, Robinson had long been a force in the majors by 1966. That year, he led the league with 49 home runs and 122 RBI to take his third and final MVP. His ’66 Topps is one of the most coveted and expensive cards of his entire career. High grade PSA 8 or 9 examples can sell for $3,000 or more. Robinson played until 1976 and was the first African American manager in the big leagues, so his ’66 remains iconic.

Reggie Jackson (Kansas City Athletics) – Dubbed “Mr. October” for his postseason heroics later in his career, Reggie J was already showing signs of greatness as a 23-year-old in 1966. While with the lowly Kansas City A’s, he hit 27 home runs and batted .277 that year. His 1966 Topps card as a baby-faced slugger has grown massively in demand. High-end PSA 9 copies now sell in the $1,500 range or more due to Jackson’s Hall of Fame career and how his ’66 portrays him as an up-and-coming star.

Don Drysdale (Los Angeles Dodgers) – A fearsome pitcher who partnered with Koufax to dominate the 1960s Dodgers rotation, Drysdale’s numbers began to decline after injury in 1966. Still, he went 13-16 with a 2.89 ERA and 189 strikeouts that season. His final Topps card from that year holds much nostalgia. Higher graded versions bring over $1,000 for Drysdale’s lasting legacy and the historical context of the ’66 season being the last for him and Koufax together in L.A.

Bob Gibson (St. Louis Cardinals) – Already a world champion in 1964, Gibson took his game to new heights in 1966 by posting a sparkling 1.12 ERA with 13 shutouts en route to the NL Cy Young and MVP awards. His dominating performance that year is immortalized on his ’66 Topps issue. Higher graded PSA 8-10 copies consistently sell for well over $1,000 given Gibson’s Hall of Fame resume and how his ’66 season marks one of the greatest individual pitching campaigns ever.

Steve Carlton (St. Louis Cardinals) – Long before cementing himself as a Phillies ace and four-time Cy Young winner, “Lefty” Carlton was a promising young arm for the Cardinals in 1966 at just 21 years old. His first Topps card shows that potential. Though graded condition matters most, Carlton’s legendary career bumps up values for any ’66. PSA 8 versions easily top $500 due to his greatness and the card capturing him at the start of his road to Cooperstown.

Juan Marichal (San Francisco Giants) – One of the most dominant pitchers of the 1960s, Marichal’s unorthodox delivery baffled hitters for the Giants. He went 21-11 in 1966 with a 2.23 ERA and was an All-Star for the sixth straight season. Highly animated action photos like his ’66 Topps issue have always appealed to collectors. Higher quality examples in the PSA 8-9 range can fetch up to $800 based on Marichal’s tremendous career stats and iconic card posing.

That covers some of the headlining ’66 cards that routinely sell for $500 or more due to the player’s excellence, historical circumstances surrounding that season, and aesthetics of the early-’60s Topps design. Condition, of course, is key to maximizing value. But for seasoned collectors, no vintage is complete without representation from this special crop of stars who defined an exciting era in baseball’s past.